SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) - A 2016 report from the Black Hills National Forest indicates that the mountain pine beetle that ravaged most of the Black Hills is history.
The study on last year’s forest health was released Friday and shows that over 94 percent of studied areas had low beetle infestation - less than three trees per acre, the Black Hills Pioneer (https://bit.ly/2n4Bwdx ) reported.
Forest official Scott Jacobson said that while there are some areas with high beetle activity, the overall forest is in good condition.
“I am thankful the hard work by our Forest Service employees, our partners and conservation leaders has paid off,” forest supervisor Mark Van Every said. “I appreciate the work by all and look forward to working together to make the forest more resilient into the future.”
The report said that out of the forest’s about 1.2 million acres, approximately 2,100 acres saw trees fading from the beetles. About 15,000 acres were noted the previous year.
Neiman Timber Company resource forester Paul Pierson said the report displays the years of hard work done on the park. He said the support from local, state and federal lawmakers and officials for the logging and timber industry has been tremendous.
“That really speaks to why we were able to be so effective,” Pierson said.
The most recent epidemic of the beetle, native to the Black Hills, may have been the worst, lasting for about 20 years. The first recorded epidemic in the Black Hills was from the late 1890s to the early 1900s.
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Information from: Black Hills Pioneer, https://www.bhpioneer.com
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